When a big buck gets angry or frustrated, his grunts can turn into a virtual growl lasting several seconds, or he can run a series of staccato-like grunts together, ascending in force and volume, usually after he takes off after an unwilling doe. Crashing sounds like a bulldozer tearing up the woods rose from the valley, along with grunting, bleating, bawling, and a couple of violent snort-wheezes followed by the clashing of antlers as two or more bucks parried for the services of the big doe. Shortly after that, things got really crazy. But I knew far bigger bucks cruised these woods, so I held my fire as the doe and buck continued on and disappeared into the valley. With four long points per beam and an inside spread of perhaps 18 inches, this buck was tempting. As he came up behind the doe, I tried to calm my pounding heart while judging the buck's antlers. Predictably, the tending grunts of an amorous buck drifted down the ridge, and as the buck marched into view with his nose to the ground, I pressed myself against the trunk of the gnarly, old oak to blend into the bark. ![]() Reaching the bench, the big doe stopped, scanned the valley before her, and then glanced nervously toward her back trail. ![]() With the chasing phase of the rut at hand on this early November morning, I didn't hesitate to ease my bow from its resting place and prepare for what might follow. A doe was coming at a much quicker pace than the button buck, and as leaves crunched loudly under her hooves, she sent plaintive bleats echoing off the surrounding hillsides. Not long afterward, more deer music reached my ears, and I turned to scan the ridge once more.
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